Students and Housing Advice & Tips in Kansas City.

College students moving to Kansas City often find themselves in need of a place to call home when their campus housing isn’t an option. If you’re one such student moving to Kansas City, there are things you can do to ensure your off-campus rental is great. Services such as Kansas City Premier Apartment’s web site are fantastic for helping you find just what you’re looking for. But, it’s up to you to be certain you’ve followed a few steps to ensure your rental experience is a good one.

Here’s a schedule of things you’ll need to do before you rent:

• The very first thing you’ll want to do is to figure out your finances. This includes not only knowing you have the income to cover living off campus, but also the credit and rental history to secure a rental. Since it’s true that some undergrads don’t have a long track record with credit or rental history, you might need to have a co-signer for the lease. Get this person lined up just in case. Property owners must treat you just like they would anyone else, but it is your responsbility to prove to a possible landlord that you’re a responsible person who is worthy of renting a place.
• As soon as you know you want to live off campus, you need to start saving money. The financial hit of a security deposit, first and (in rare occasions) last month’s rent and so on can be big.
• Even before you’re ready, start seeking housing. Kansas City Premier Apartment’s web site or a Rental Advisor can help you in the hunt. Other students who live off campus can help give you some ideas, too, of areas you might be interested in living in. Remember - start early!
• Check into rentals that offer the kind of contract you need. Since you will possibly want to return home for summer vacations, you might only want a lease that spans the school year. If this is the case, seek out rentals that have flexible lease terms. Otherwise, you might need to be prepared to have to sign a year-round lease and/or pay a penalty for breaking a lease before the year is up.

Once you find a place, you’ll want to do a few things:

• Get your utilities in order. About a month before your move-in date, you’ll want to contact all utilities companies and make sure they’ll be turned on before or on your move-in date. You might need to come up with a deposit, so it’s a good idea to give yourself some lead time.
• Check the cost on your auto insurance before making a decision! These costs can be HUGE factors when considering the new place. Also, let your auto insurance company know about the move. You’ll want to do this about a month before you move in, too. This just helps make sure you’re covered if and when you need to be.
• Tell the Post Office. This can wait until a week before you move, but do let the Post Office know about a move so your mail can be forwarded. You’ll need to fill out a change of address form for this. You can even do this online!
• Start packing. You might want to start this as early as possible, but at least a week’s lead time is important to ensure you’re all set for the big move.
• Check out your neighborhood. Even before you move in, or right after, you’ll want to get the lay of the land. Introduce yourself to neighbors, learn where the closest stores are and so on.

Enjoy! Having your own place is great for a college student. The privacy comes in handy during exam times and it’s a real perk for entertaining friends.